In the humid warmth of Asunción, under the gaze of a boisterous home crowd at the Estadio Héroes de Curupayty, Paraguay produced one of their most memorable rugby performances in recent history — a stunning 39–19 win over Brazil that has reignited their Rugby World Cup dreams.
Few had given Los Yakares much of a chance. The statistics were against them — Brazil were ranked ten places higher in the world, had crushed them 77–17 the previous year, and entered the contest with a squad that, on paper, looked stronger in every department. Yet, on this particular afternoon, none of that mattered. Paraguay were sharper, hungrier, and far more cohesive than their visitors, who looked a shadow of the side that had dominated the region just a season ago.
Brazil’s build-up had already been turbulent. In the days leading up to the match, the Brazilian Rugby Union (CBRu) made the surprise decision to part ways with head coach Emiliano Caffera, reinstating former boss Josh Reeves. While the move reportedly had the players’ backing, the abrupt change left little time for tactical adjustment. The disruption showed on the pitch, where Paraguay’s structure and intensity immediately exposed a disjointed Brazilian setup.
The hosts drew first blood when prop Enrique Quinteros pounced on a loose ball after Brazil fumbled from the kickoff. Quick thinking from Gonzalo Bareiro and a slashing run by winger Juan González set up Quinteros for the opening try. Brazil responded almost instantly through a moment of opportunism — an intercepted pass by Lucas Tranquez led to João do Amaral diving over to level the scores.
The first half swung like a pendulum. Sebastián Urbieta’s penalty edged Paraguay back in front, only for lightning to strike twice when Brazil scored another intercept try — this time No.8 André Arruda reading a pass perfectly to sprint 50 meters and score. Arruda soon turned provider, setting up Robson Morais for Brazil’s third try to make it 19–10. From there, however, everything unraveled for Os Tupis.
Paraguay’s forwards began to dominate the collisions, their rolling maul gaining ground and their backline finding rhythm. Hooker Juan José Heisecke muscled over from close range, Urbieta added the extras, and suddenly the lead had narrowed to two. A second-half penalty then nudged Los Yakares ahead, and from that moment on, they never looked back.
A misjudged bounce off the post by do Amaral gifted flanker Francisco Bareiro a simple try, the kind that drains belief from an opponent. The try of the match followed shortly after — Ramiro Amarilla bulldozing through four defenders before offloading to Arturo López for a crowd-pleasing finish. Replacement Gastón Salvi crossed late to put the result beyond doubt, sealing an emphatic 39–19 triumph.
For Paraguay, it was a performance full of intent and pride — a reminder that South American rugby’s pecking order is not set in stone. For Brazil, it was a sobering lesson in the cost of inconsistency and internal turbulence.
The two sides will meet again next weekend in Jacareí, near São Paulo, where Brazil must overturn a 20-point deficit to stay in contention for a place at Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. The winner on aggregate will advance to the repechage in Dubai, joining Belgium, Namibia, and Samoa in the final battle for the tournament’s last qualifying spot.
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